NHL Playoffs Preview for Sunday, April 21, 2024

April 21, 2024

Yesterday, we kicked off the NHL's Postseason with two games. We follow that up today with four more games on the ice! Let's take a look at the games on the schedule.

Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

After a solid regular season finish, the Florida Panthers have clinched the Atlantic Division title and will face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the postseason.

The series kicks off on Sunday afternoon in Sunrise, Fla. The Panthers' regular season tally stands at an impressive 52 wins, the second-highest in franchise history, and they've racked up 110 points. This places them in a tie for fourth place league-wide this season.

The Lightning, conversely, secured their playoff berth through the wild-card spot with a respectable 45 wins and 98 points. Tampa Bay has a historic 2-0 advantage over the Panthers in the playoff series, with both victories coming within the last three postseasons.

Due to their strong performance, they're seen as a daunting first-round opponent in the postseason.

Last year, Tampa Bay pulled a 4-2 victory against Florida in the first round and rode that momentum to the Stanley Cup. Presently, Tampa Bay is the top Wild Card in the East and is poised to face either the Bruins or Panthers in the opening round.

New York Rangers vs. Washington Capitals

The New York Rangers celebrate their third consecutive trip to the playoffs following an impressive rebuild from 2018-21. The 2023-24 campaign saw the team reach new pinnacles with 55 wins and 114 points.

The Rangers achieved a significant milestone:

Clinching the Metropolitan Division

Securing home-ice advantage for the postseason

Winning the coveted Presidents' Trophy

Their victory over the Senators on Monday marked the team's fourth Presidents' Trophy in franchise history.

The team's success can be largely attributed to Artemi Panarin's outstanding performance. The forward achieved career highs this season with 49 goals and 120 points, a whisker away from the single-season franchise record held by Jaromir Jagr in 2005-06.

Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals fought hard to secure the East's No. 2 Wild Card spot. Their hard-fought victory over the Flyers on Tuesday secures their position in the playoffs, where they are set to face the formidable Rangers.

Colorado Avalanche vs. Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg has demonstrated impressive form, sweeping the season series against the Avalanche with a resounding 7-0 win on April 13.

Their performance during the regular season has been enviable. They allow only 2.42 goals per game, a record they share with the Florida Panthers for the league lead.

This remarkable form has seen the Jets secure seven consecutive victories, catapulting them into second place in the Central Division, overtaking the Avalanche.

Winnipeg has demonstrated their offensive prowess in their last three games, outscoring Dallas and Colorado 10-0 in two monumental wins.

In contrast, the Avalanche have been on a downward trajectory, suffering four losses in their last five games.

Their recent misfortune was highlighted on Sunday when they squandered a 3-0 third-period lead and lost in overtime to the Golden Knights.

Nashville Predators vs. Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks have secured their first Pacific Division title since the 2012-13 season.

As the playoffs approach, Vancouver will face the Nashville Predators in the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Despite Nashville's loss to the Penguins in their regular-season finale, they still qualify as the West's top Wild Card team for the postseason.

This recent development sets the stage for a thrilling round of games, full of enthusiasm, competition and uncertainty as the Stanley Cup Playoffs kick off.

Spooky Express Free NHL Play

NY Rangers -1.5 (+126) - The NY Rangers are far and away better than the Washington Capitals. We are firm believers that the Capitals don't really belong here in the playoffs and are going to struggle really bad vs. NYR. We look for the Caps to come out with a tired and exhausted stance, having to fight to get into the postseason, and with facing the #1 seed, will be too much! Taking NY on the Puckline.

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